An International Comparison of Management's Use of Quantitative Techniques, and the Implications for MBA Teaching

Abstract

In order to assess the extent to which managers use a range of statistical techniques, an identical survey was undertaken among over 1200 MBA graduates in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and New Zealand. The managers in all three countries held similar perceptions about both the benefits and hindrances of applying the particular quantitative techniques mentioned, and these are detailed in the paper. Although the overall awareness of basic techniques was disappointingly low, the research indicates that most managers saw a positive role for quantitative techniques in their work. Clear implications for the design and teaching of the quantitative component in MBA courses can be drawn from the study.